Colt 1st-Generation Single Action Army Revolver, .32-20 Win., 7.5-Inch Smokeless-Powder Frame (1907/1908 Production)
This full-size Colt Single Action Army is a late 1907 smokeless-powder frame revolver that shipped in 1908, built during the sought-after 1st-Generation era. Chambered in the relatively scarce .32-20 Winchester caliber—representing roughly five percent of first-gen output—it features the classic 7.5-inch “Cavalry” barrel, color case-hardened frame, and high-luster blued steel components. Collectors will note the spring-loaded transverse cylinder pin latch and removable first-gen cylinder bushing, both hallmarks of Colt’s early smokeless design.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair – Extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good – Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good – Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The revolver shows widespread scratching, blemishing, and areas of light pitting. The loading gate assembly is not numbers-matched to the frame. Barrel assembly finish and wear patterns indicate it is likely a later replacement.
What’s Included
- Colt Single Action Army revolver, .32-20 Win., 7.5-inch barrel
- Factory checkered black hard-rubber Rampant Colt grips (installed)
Produced under serial number 303xxx, this revolver carries a matching trigger-guard number and the correct single-line Hartford barrel address. The frame retains its original color case-hardening, while the barrel, cylinder, and grip frame wear Colt’s period high-polish blue. Although the barrel appears to be an early replacement, it maintains the correct length, caliber marking, and half-moon ejector-rod head associated with 1st-Gen smokeless Colts.
The .32-20 WCF chambering makes this piece stand out among standard SAA offerings. Fewer revolvers left the Hartford factory in this caliber, adding a layer of rarity for collectors seeking variants beyond the common .45 Colt and .38-40 models.
Mechanically, the exposed hammer, single-action operation, and spring-loaded cross-pin cylinder latch reflect Colt’s transition from black-powder frames to smokeless-rated construction. The transverse latch design, introduced in 1896 and continued through 1st-Generation production, simplifies cylinder removal while strengthening lock-up under higher-pressure smokeless loads.
Original checkered hard-rubber grips with Rampant Colt medallions remain tightly fitted, offering a period-correct feel and helping verify the revolver’s early-20th-century lineage. Combined with its long barrel, color case-hardened frame, and uncommon caliber, this 1st-Gen SAA presents an appealing addition for Colt enthusiasts looking to fill a .32-20 slot dating to 1908.